Geoffrey Boycott to work with Indian team

Geoffrey Boycott, the former England opener and current television commentator, is to spend a couple of days offering batting tips to the Indian team, reports the Press Trust of India. Jahmohan Dalmiya, the Indian board president, has said that Boycott will spend time with the national team and at the National Cricket Academy as part of the board's initiative to bring specialist coaches in to the system.

Boycott will spend two days with the senior team in Chennai on July 4 and 5 during their training camp ahead of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. After India leave for Sri Lanka, Boycott moves to Bangalore where he will help train young hopefuls at the academy.

"It has been our endeavour to bring in more and more specialists for the benefit of youngsters," said Dalmiya in a statement. Recently Jonty Rhodes, the former South African batsman and fielding sensation, visited the NCA, while Sandy Gordon, widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading sports psychologists, has also conducted sessions at various levels.

Boycott has already interacted with many Indian cricketers during the course of his media responsibilities. His thick Yorkshire accent and forthright views, coupled with his fulsome praise for Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, have long made him a favourite with the fans in India. His battle against cancer was well-documented in the Indian media and you can be sure that fans will be happy to see Boycs back in action in India.